Apple announced the latest generation of its flagship AirPods Pro headphones on Monday, October 28th. Apart from the higher price, the new in-ear design and the wider charging case, Active Noise is by far the biggest change cancellation. Finally, we can hear AirPods in an airplane that flies along a busy road and has a lot of noise everywhere. But how does it work?

First, only the control of this feature on an iPhone is discussed. Apple lists only the AirPods Pro compatibility with its own products – including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV – without mentioning Android or PC. Until we can properly investigate how AirPods Pro works with non-Apple devices and how settings like the active noise canceling feature work on these devices, we need to stick to the Apple ecosystem.

What is active noise cancellation?

Let's take a look at what's in Apple's new noise cancellation for AirPods Pro. Apple's Feature Guide:

AirPods Pro Active Noise Reduction uses two microphones in combination with advanced software to continuously adapt to your ear and headphone customization. In this way, background noise is removed to provide a customized, superior noise cancellation experience that allows the user to focus on what they are listening to – be it a favorite song or a phone call.

The first microphone is directed outwards and detects external noise to analyze ambient noise. AirPods Pro then produces equivalent noise cancellation that blocks out background noise before it reaches the ear of the listener. A second in-center microphone listens to the ear, and AirPods Pro suppresses the residual noise detected by the microphone. The noise cancellation adjusts the sound signal 200 times per second continuously.

– Apple

In addition to active noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro has the Transparency option. Transparency is almost the opposite of active noise cancellation: instead of fading the world, Transparency invites these sounds so you can listen to your iPhone while keeping an eye on events in your environment:

Transparency mode gives users the option of listening to music at the same time while listening to the environment around them, be it to hear the traffic during a ride or an important train announcement during the morning commute. Using the Pressure Compensating Venting System and advanced software that keeps the right level of noise suppression enabled will ensure that the user's own voice sounds natural while the sound continues to sound.

– Apple

Running iOS 13.2

Before you try the noise reduction methods listed below, you need to know that iPhone 13 must be running on your iPhone before you can use AirPods Pro at all. If the $ 250 you spend on AirPods Pro is not enough to update, you'll get 13.2 with more than 70 new emojis. Deep Fusion for iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max; and announcements of messages with Siri, alongside 19 other important features and changes:

Method 1: From the AirPod itself

AirPods Pro are actually pressure-sensitive. The quickest way to switch between active noise reduction and transparency is to press one of the AirPods Pro stems. You will hear a beep indicating that you have successfully switched the audio mode. You hear this warning signal when you activate one of these functions, not just with this method.

Method 2: Using the Control Center

If you have your iPhone, you can enable active noise cancellation activate the Control Center quickly. Access the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the device (face detection models) or swiping up from the bottom of the display (Home button models). Then 3D Touch or hold the volume knob.

Find the options for active noise cancellation in a bar at the bottom of the display. Tap on "Noise Cancellation" on the left to activate the function. Tap this option to switch to Transparency. To turn off either option, tap Off in the middle.

MKBHD / YouTube Image

Method 3: Off Settings

You can also find this panel in the App Settings. With AirPods Pro connected, go to Settings -> Bluetooth and then tap the "i" next to your AirPods Pro. For the corresponding settings, see Noise Reduction .